Richard Hickox, BBC National Orchestra Of Wales – Bliss – A Colour Symphony: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (2006) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Richard Hickox, BBC National Orchestra Of Wales – Bliss – A Colour Symphony: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (2006)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:13:40 minutes | 1,29 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Chandos

This release follows the recent Stanford Songs of the Sea release (CHSA 5043) from Hickox and the BBC NOW, which was ‘Recording of the Month’ in Gramophone magazine and ‘Classical CD of the Week’ in both The Times and The Daily Telegraph. In this new recording of Bliss’s Violin Concerto, Lydia Mordkovitch, famous for her readings of British music, offers her own personal interpretation of the part made famous by Alfredo Campoli, for whom the work was commissioned. Mordkovitch wonderfully conveys the romance and beauty of this concerto, as well as the fiery nature of the gypsy theme prominent in the finale. This is the only available recording of the Violin Concerto, uniquely coupling with A Colour Symphony. A Colour Symphony illustrates four heraldic colours by means of striking ideas and original orchestral effects. Hickox and the BBC NOW provide a refined and idiomatic reading, confirming this as one of Bliss’s most inventive, striking scores, neglected in recent years.

Why is it that Arthur Bliss never quite attained the same status in the pantheon of twentieth century English composer as Elgar, Holst, or Vaughan Williams? He certainly had the skill. As music, his scores are superbly wrought, brilliantly orchestrated, and often quite effective. But he lacked what might be called a distinctive compositional personality. Put on any of his pieces from his insouciant ballet Checkmate to his choral-orchestral masterpiece Morning Heroes and try to identify those characteristics that are specifically Bliss’. The forms are off-the-shelf post-Romanticism. The harmonies are standard-issue early modernism. And, worst of all, the tunes are entirely forgettable. Even in this outstanding 2006 Chandos recordings of his A Colour Symphony and Violin Concerto, it’s nearly impossible to identify the composer. Richard Hickox, arguably the finest contemporary English conductor, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, surely one of the better of the BBC’s national orchestras, turn in an exciting performance of the four-movement A Colour Symphony and Lydia Mordkovitch, a former Oistrakh pupil who makes her home in England, turns in an incredibly virtuosic performance of the three-movement Violin Concerto. But none of it sticks in the memory, and for all the strength and commitment of the musicians, Bliss’ music fades as soon as it’s over. Chandos’ sound is big, clear, and deep.

Tracklist:
1. Lydia Mordkovitch – A Colour Symphony – I. Purple: Andante maestoso (06:55)
2. Lydia Mordkovitch – A Colour Symphony – II. Red: Allegro vivace (06:55)
3. Lydia Mordkovitch – A Colour Symphony – III. Blue: Gently flowing (09:34)
4. Lydia Mordkovitch – A Colour Symphony – IV. Green: Moderato (08:28)
5. Lydia Mordkovitch – Violin Concerto – I. Allegro ma non troppo (15:41)
6. Lydia Mordkovitch – Violin Concerto – II. Vivo (08:52)
7. Lydia Mordkovitch – Violin Concerto – III. Introduzione: Andante sostenuto – Allegro deciso in modo zingaro (17:12)

Personnel:
Lydia Mordkovitch – violin
BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Richard Hickox

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